Describes "Language and Literature," a rigorous general education course offered at Saint Mary College (Kansas) for all nontraditional students entering a degree curriculum. Explains how the course matches the college's goals. Examines writing assignments and teaching methods. Reports on students' evaluations of the course. (DMM)

American higher education should have three priorities: (1) show students that we are connected through the use of symbols; (2) help students understand, through science, the underlying patterns and connections of the natural world; and (3) teach students about social and civic institutions through familiarity with other cultures. (MSE)

Broad changes in the academic culture and the curriculum since the 1960s are reviewed, and the need is emphasized for a re-formation of the curriculum to bring the student back into focus and to rebuild the humanities. (MSE)

Liberal arts graduates should be educated in these aspects of science: hypothesis and experimentation as the basis of scientific thought, problems of translating scientific thought into economic and social benefits, concepts of probability and uncertainty, and conflicts in scientific, technological, and public policy goals. (MSE)

What is wrong in the American parochialism about foreign languages is the assumption that language acquisition is a cosmetic gain, without any immediate or forseeable practical use. Languages will only be learned effectively when Americans learn that they can be used in getting tasks accomplished. (MSE)

There are many indications that campuses consider the improvement of international education to be of paramount importance. Proposals reflect an interest in an infusion of international perspectives into curricula, the enhancement of competencies for business and teaching, and instruction in foreign languages. (MLW)

Twentieth century historical treatments of liberal education, often conflicting and confused, are examined and the relationship of this confusion to previous historical interpretations is discussed. It is concluded that liberal education is neglected as a topic of historical research. (MSE)

This final report describes activities and accomplishments of a two-year project at Lynchburg College (Virginia) to develop an interdisciplinary program of classical readings in six required courses. Although originating in the college's senior symposium, the current program's emphasis is on remedying the dichotomy between basic skills and…

An undergraduate curriculum in public affairs is proposed that is multidisciplinary, rooted in the liberal arts, and that emphasizes development of conceptual, analytical, and interpersonal skills required for public policymaking and implementation. Questions addressed would include such issues as the definitions of public and national interests.…

The Great Lakes Colleges Association, composed of twelve small liberal arts colleges in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, has been a leader in the integration of women's studies into the curriculum of its member schools. The consortial approach and the women's studies program are described. (MLW)

Career development has become the focus of the mission of Doane College (Nebraska), with programs for applicants, students and alumni. Doane's program illustrates how a comprehensive career education model can be applied in liberal arts college. (MSE)

Most college curricula are matched by professional counterparts in state and federal governments. A program of public service internships can serve the liberal arts by bringing them together. The Albany (New York) Semester Program places students in full-time 15-week internships with state agencies. (MSE)

Colleges of liberal arts and sciences within universities are suggested to be in a time of crisis. Instead of fighting with professional schools or professional programs for the time and attention of students, through cooperative planning, goals can be realized and numerous paths to educational ends can be created. (MLW)

Discusses rejuvenation of the campus community service movement and its potential to explore the meaning of citizenship in a democracy. Argues that civic education should be an integral part of a liberal education and that community service can help prepare students for citizenship. A Rutgers University (New Jersey) program illustrates how service…

A new liberal arts core curriculum for the twenty-first century is proposed, including four elements: global studies, self-reliance skills, interdisciplinary thinking skills, and selected traditional studies. The approach, being tried in a number of American colleges, addresses flaws in the existing liberal arts curriculum. (MSE)